Can you imagine that 42 years ago people were hardly concerned about environmental protection? There were no laws to keep companies from dumping toxic waste into our waterways and industrial sites, such that Ohio's Cuyahoga River became so polluted that it caught fire. As unbelievable as it may sound, a river did indeed become a fire hazard.

On April 22, 1970, 1 in every 10 Americans decided to speak up and launched the first Earth Day in history. As a result, ground-breaking legislation was soon enacted and by the end of that year, the Environmental Protection Agency was created. What began as an American movement, soon inspired people all over the world, growing in 42 years into what EarthDay.org calls, "The largest civic observance in the world." Each year, more than a billion people from all walks of life and from around the world participate in Earth Day.

To help you get started this Earth month, Dr. Energy Saver and Green Upgrader are promoting the "Energy Saving Basket" giveaway.

The kit contains energy saving gifts such as an LED bulb and weatherstrip kit; a copy of the book, Saving Energy at Home -- a comprehensive illustrated guide to home energy savings with 80 pages full of energy saving tips and ideas; plus $200 worth of referral vouchers so that you and your friends can enjoy the benefits of a greener and more energy efficient home. That is a potential $450 dollars value, including vouchers and energy savings!

Giveaway Details

The winner will be selected randomly among the first readers to complete at least one of the following actions. For each extra one you do, you get an extra "name in the hat." Once you've done these, just leave a separate comment here for each one to let us know, so we can count your entry!

Ten additional readers will be randomly chosen to receive a free copy of the book, Saving Energy at Home. We will announce the winners on Friday, April 27 2012.

It is estimated that 65% of global warming pollution comes from energy generation and use. In the U.S., where 50% of the energy used to power homes is produced in coal plants, means that taking even the smallest steps to save energy is one of the "greenest" things you can do to help the planet. It is also the smartest thing to do for your home, family and finances! Energy saving improvements beat the stock market in terms of pay off, for each dollar invested!

Happy energy saving, and Happy Earth Day!

Dr. Energy Saver is a nationwide network of certified home energy conservation professionals, offering comprehensive home energy assessments and a full range of energy saving services.

About the Author:

Becky Striepe is a green blogger and independent crafter with a passion for vintage fabrics. She runs a crafty business, Glue and Glitter, where her mission is to make green crafting and vegan food accessible to everyone!
You can find Becky on Google+.

About greenUPGRADER…

Here at greenUPGRADER we believe you can live well while protecting the environment. Going "Green" can seem overwhelming, but if it doesn't have to be. By taking small steps you can start to incorporate eco-friendly options into your life that will both reduce your impact on the earth and improve the quality of your life. We feature sustainable products, ideas and news to help you to help you on your journey to a greener lifestyle. Read more about us...